The cheery author

Best known as a dramatist of tragic and painful works such as The Cherry Orchard, Russian writer Anton Chekhov also wrote funny and silly tales at the start of his career. The European Arts Company are performing five of them with their cast of three at Bowhill Theatre tomorrow. They will also be at Peebles’ Eastgate Theatre on Tuesday April 19..

A spokesperson for the company said: “If you’ve thought Chekhov was too dull, miserable and Russian to endure, then this hilariously bittersweet evening will make you think again.”

Chekhov’s Shorts starts at 8pm at Bowhill near Selkirk, with tickets priced at £11 - phone 01750 22204 to book. The Eastgate show costs £14 (£12 concessions) from 01721 725777.